It’s a short walk from the upscale Grove Arcade in Asheville to the Haywood Street United Methodist Church. On the Wednesday I decided to take the walk it was 90 degrees by 10:00am.
As I got closer to the church, I noticed people joining me walking in the same direction. Each one greeting me with solid eye contact and a smile. Many were carrying backpacks and carts with everything they owned inside. There we were making our journey to the same place… together.
My first glimpse of the church as I came around the corner, literally took my breath away. Hundreds of people were gathered and being served for as far as I could see. They were getting clothes, shoes, and food that they needed… but so much MORE. There was an absolutely overpowering presence of God in this place.
“Companions” as the volunteers are called were in relationship with the homeless population every direction that I looked. They were laughing and smiling… hugging and crying… they were one body of Christ and even in this heat, it was a beautiful thing to see.
I took a stroll through the garden where people stopped eating their lunch in the shade, to tell me about their garden. There was a sense of community and belonging.
In the parking lot, organizations had come to offer everything from acupuncture and foot care to ice cream and help with pets. This wasn’t a one-time ministry outreach; this was the way they serve every day.
I took a break from the heat in the sanctuary as I visited the Bueno Fresco. I had to sit for a moment and take it all in. The faces of people who have found a place to belong and to be loved as Christ first loved us… covered the wall.
As I was sitting, there were two men who had taken it as their offering to design the flower arrangement for the worship service. They took great pride in choosing the flowers from the garden and creating a masterpiece for the altar.
As I walked the grounds again, all I could think was how this is where Christ would have been walking. He would be right in the middle of this Holy chaos.
There have been a lot of things that have strengthened my faith over the years and that have changed my perspective about issues. My visit to Haywood Street UMC was life changing and soul filling.
Watching so many people walking beside those who share our common humanity with such grace, respect, and LOVE… no words can adequately describe it.
What if that church had never taken their ministry outside their doors? What if the ever-growing homeless population never fully knew and fully understood that Jesus Christ is their Savior too?
If you would like more information about their ministries visit HaywoodStreet.org. My challenge to you is to ask yourselves and your congregations, who do we need to be walking in relationship with right now? Who needs to see the love of Christ come looking for them and meet them where they are… wherever that is in this moment?
“You obey the law of Christ when you offer each other a helping hand.” Galatians 6:2 CEV
If you would like to view past editions of A Message from Kim, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-district-lay-leader/
If you would like to connect with Kim please do so through her email, k.smith@nccumc.org